Looks like I'm going on holiday to Benidorm (not where I thought we were going) with my late middle aged parents and sister.
I remember the ITV comedy drama 'Benidorm' shown last year and do cringe a bit at the thought of going there.
I liked Fuengirola near Malaga.
Fingers crossed it's not all stereotypical Costa del Britannia.
Anyone who has been have any suggestions?
Thanks.
Posted on: 23 January 2009 by BigH47
Catch the plague even feign death, failing that take mogadon.
Posted on: 24 January 2009 by manicatel
I/we know the Fuengirola area pretty well. We have been going there for quite a few years & my in-laws lived in that area for approx 16 years.
The main town of Fuengirola itself is pretty full of english pubs/all day brekkies/brits abroad type stuff, which is obviously not to eveyones taste. Marbella is more glitzy & expensive, but not really any more tasteful.
The good new is that there are several smaller towns/villages where it is easily still possible to get away from all the tacky stuff & have a nice family holiday.
Benalmadena pueblo (ie the old town of Benalmadena, not the coastal strech) is a lot quieter, with more Spanish life style. There are many villas/apartments available to rent, you'll need a car, but the beach is approx 10 mins away. However, you'll feel a million miles away from the tacky stuff.
Mijas, Coin, & going further inland to the lakes area are other options.
Fuengirola still has a genuine spanish area, & a lot of Madrid-ians have holiday apartments there & tend to arrive in Fuengirola in July to escape the more severe inland temperatures.
So yes, there is undoubtedly a lot of tacky/chavy stuff & people there, but it is still very easy to have a good family holiday there, even if you never step foot in a British pub or bar. The seafood is very good fresh & local, the Spanish people are very welcoming & kiddie orientated, but the € rate isn't great at the moment.
Matt.
Posted on: 24 January 2009 by Derek Wright
Not been to Benidorm, however based on limited time further south west on the coast I suggest you get a good guide book eg a Lonely PLanet and read up on the inland areas that are within a days drive of Benidorm and then rent a car and take a few trips away from the coast - if you find out that the hinterland is not interesting then take lots of books to read. <g>
